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Who Dey Revolution Manifesto

Preamble

IN THIS TIME of perpetual Cincinnati Bengals incompetence and futility, with zero playoff wins in the nineteen seasons since the WhoDeyRevolution Godfather, Paul Brown, passed away in 1991 and handed the team to his fortunate son, the Despot, Mike Brown;

Introduction

WE, the members of the Who Dey Revolution, in our fervent dedication to the Cincinnati Bengals and fanatical desire to transform our hometown team into perpetual Super Bowl contenders, call for a popular revolution of fans to demand comprehensive reform to the managerial decisions and approach of Cincinnati Bengals ownership, management, staff and players, and hereby call for the adoption of the following Who Dey Revolution Manifesto:

Manifesto Demands

THAT the Mike Brown, Katie Blackburn, Marvin Lewis, along with every other member of the Bengals management, staff and personnel, state publicly to all Bengals fans, “I will do everything in my power to help the Cincinnati Bengals win a Super Bowl;”

THAT Mike Brown will hire a general manager, drastically expand the scouting department and relinquish all control of player personnel;

THAT all training, rehabilitation and medical facilities are considered best-in-class compared to other NFL teams;

THAT the management fill the team only with players who fit the system, both mentally and physically, and are not reluctant to makes changes to player personnel when needed, regardless of cost or loyalty concerns;

THAT offensive and defensive line depth is considered the top priority for all player personnel decisions;

THAT all decisions made by ownership, management, staff and players, both on and off the field, are judged only by this criterion: “Does this help the Cincinnati Bengals win a Super Bowl?”

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Draft Analysis

February 28, 2013

Check out this quote from an interview with Oklahoma OL Lane Johnson (via Deadspin):

On a strange meeting he had with the Bengals: "One
thing caught me off guard. I was meeting with Cincinnati, and I went in
there and they told me to remember five things. They just listed five
things like a bear, a flower, a tree, a man and like a dog. And they
told me to remember those terms, at the end of the meeting to see if I
could remember them. And from that point on, they listed numbers. They
said, like, 9167, and then told me to repeat them in reverse order. So
that was probably the weirdest meeting I've ever been a part of."

NFL teams have long been known for crazy and downright bizarre questions during player interviews - so as long as it doesn't mean the Bengals draft Manti Te'o in the first round...we are good with it.

April 29, 2011

Since it is pretty obvious the Bengals are going to take a QB rather than be smart and trade for an experienced vetern like a Kolb after the draft or pick one up in free agency which would allow them to go after the top QB prospect that is not even in this year's draft. So if you were sitting in the room what would you do?

Ryan MallettHere is what the pundits say: Mallett is a junior that chose to give up his final season of eligibility for the NFL. Mallett is 6'6 and has an absolute cannon for an arm, and he fits the mold of a true gunslinger: He wants to throw it every time, and will try to throw the football throw anything that gets between him and his receiver. Mallett is a pure pocket passer with great size, but with that comes the lack of ideal mobility. He is not a statue in the pocket, but as he gets older and adds some more weight to his frame, he is going to find it tough to escape the rush within the pocket.

According to scouts the biggest thing holding Mallett back at this point is still his decision making. He has some Brett Favre in him, thinking his arm strength will always prevail. He forces throws into coverage. It results in some amazing throws, but also results in game changing mistakes. At the pro level, the mistakes will out number the big plays because tight spaces are even tighter. There are also some questions about his maturity level, so it may be wise for him to have a veteran to mentor him for a bit before stepping onto the field. Mallett appears to have slipped out of the first round, but he has the talent to become a very good starting QB in the NFL.

To add to this: I was impressed with what I saw from Mallett during the Sugar Bowl game against Ohio State - the only game I saw Mallett play last year. Ohio State was really lucky to win that game and should have sent Arkansas's wide receiving corps several fruit baskets for dropping so many touchdowns balls - especially in the first quarter. Mallett was able to get balls to his receivers even under heavy pressure from OSU's pass rush. He has the rare combination of arm strength and size 6'-6 or 6'-7'( depending on what you read)/ 250+ lbs (larger than Big Ben who is 6'-5"/ 240 lbs). His off-field escapades are the only big question mark. But people said the same thing about Dan Marino and his cocaine habit back in 1984. The other big question is how he will respond to falling to the second round. Will he use this as motivation to prove all of the other 31 teams they were wrong or will he fall apart?

Andy DaltonHere is what the pundits say: TCU’s Andy Dalton may not possess the overall physical tools of other top QB prospects, but his intelligence, leadership, and accuracy definitely stand out. He eased some concerns about his size when he officially hit 6’2/ 215 at the combine, and has continued to win people over with his football IQ and overall intelligence.

Dalton has a good enough arm to make all the throws, shows some surprising mobility within the pocket, and those traits combined with his ability to lead a team has him looking like a second round pick as well. While he will need to adjust to taking snaps from under center, he could be ready to play early in his career because he possesses every intangible you want in a quarterback, and he’s the type of player you can go to battle with every Sunday.

To add to this: I don't know much about the red wonder since I did not watch one TCU game last year - I can't wait for the NCAA to catch that school for violating NCAA rules. My big concern about Dalton is his size. Will he be able to see the field over an OL/DL that is going to be 3-5" higher than he is? Other sites have also questioned his arm strength. Gruden gets a stiffy anytime he sees his red hair.

Other Top Options Still Available:1. DE Bowers - Do you draft Odom's replacement to help solidify the DE spot for years to come?2. LB Justin Houston - At 6'-3" 270 could fill the hole at SLB, but is a prospect.3. SLB Ayens - Proven SLB in college. Can cover but supposedly has a hard time against the run.4. CB Harris - Good cover corner.5. DT Stephen Pea - Noted run stuffer that looks samoan so by default he would be my selection just because he looks samoan. 6. FS Moore - Described as a game changing safety - a big need.

This is a tough question. I know popular demand will say Dalton. I also know that Gruden is in love with Dalton - but we don't even know if we can trust Gruden yet. If I had a gun to my head and had to choose between Mallet or Dalton, I go with Mallett and then immediately hire a councilor to get his head straight.

If it were my call, I think I try to solidify the DL with Bowers who has the ability to defend the run and rush the passer. Matching him up with Atkins and Dunlap on third downs could be scary. I would then follow this up in next years draft with the selection of Luck to get my future franchise QB - since we are going to draft high again next year. If Bowers is off the board, I go with the game changing safety.

March 01, 2011

Longtime comrade Wyatt penned this post debating the Bengals taking Georgia WR A.J. Green with the 4th pick in the draft. We welcome guest posts because they are usually better written and take far less time for us to post. If you've got something, email us at whodeyrevolution[at]gmail[dot]com.

With the 2011 NFL Draft rapidly approaching , Don Banks from SI.com and Rob Rang and Pete Prisco from CBSSportsline.com have posted mock drafts. All three “pundits” have the Bengals taking Georgia wide receiver AJ Green with the fourth overall selection. If you’re like me, and you’ve seen the “great success” the Bengals have had drafting skill player after skill player in the first round, then you’re probably groaning right now and wishing they’d take a lineman (on either side of the ball). In spite of some first-round guys having character issues (Cam Newton springs immediately to mind), there don’t appear to be any overweight linemen with motivational issues, which would be all the more reason to draft a lineman in the first round, right?

Well, I’m going to play devil’s advocate and not only say that I think AJ Green would be a great draft choice for the Bengals, but also use his statistics (compared with Chad Johnson’s) to show you why. There is one caveat (and a few points) before I jump into all the boring numbers – this is all assuming Carson decides to remain a Bengal at some point between now and the draft, because I think we all know that if he doesn’t, Mikey’s going to select Cam Newton and we’re going to be screwed, JaMarcus Russell/Akili Smith –style. Also, for a little background, when I first read Banks’ mock draft, I was dead-set against the idea of drafting a wide receiver in the first round, but his (admittedly snarky) little comment/reasoning made me actually stop and think about it.

“I can't wait to see what Chad Ochocinco (or Johnson?) will tweet once the Bengals use their first-round pick to select a new No. 1 receiver. I would score that one checkmate, Marvin Lewis, in the coming showdown between Cincy's head coach and the veteran pass-catcher with whom he has long since grown weary.”

Assuming Johnson returns this season (and there’s really no reason to believe he won’t – Mike is too stubborn to trade him and I highly doubt they’d cut him and get absolutely nothing for him), that puts the Bengals in an ideal position to groom Green, since the standard logic states that most wide receivers don’t produce in their first year in the pros (though if there is a receiver in this class with the potential to be the exception to that rule, Green seems to be that guy).

You may recall the Bengals press conference to announce Marvin's resigning, where Mikey used an incredibly convoluted stats to defend the player personnel and scouting departments: “The scouting thing is another criticism that rises up when we don’t do well. If you look at our record on scouting over the last 10 years, we rank 10th for the number of games played by players we drafted. I think we sank to 11th on the number of players who are in the league that we drafted, and we would be higher than that except for injuries that were serious that players like (David) Pollack suffered, or Chris Perry, or what happened with (Odell) Thurman, or what happened to Chris Henry. We had a number of those. It was disproportionate. I don’t apologize for our scouting. It’s an easy target, but if you look at the real facts, I think you’ll see it differently.”

The Bengals have never had a draft pick make the Pro Bowl on Defense. They have had one player drafted on Defense make the Pro Bowl, but Tremain Mack made the Pro Bowl as a Kick Returner.

Starting with the 1991 draft, the Bengals have drafted 7 players that have made the Pro Bowl with the Bengals. Some players have made the Pro Bowl with other teams, like Takeo Spikes and shockingly Justin Smith, but only 7 were with the Bengals.

The last drafted Pro Bowl player is Carson Palmer.

In 16 of 20 drafts, the Bengals drafted zero Pro Bowlers.

Only Chad Johnson has gone to more than 4 Pro Bowls.

On the other hand, the Ravens started as a franchise in 1996, and they have drafted 14 Pro Bowl players and 8 First Team All Pro players.

Yes, small market teams usually get less attention and therefore less players into the Pro Bowl, but these figures show that the figures Mike Brown uses showcase mediocrity and not excellence.

April 26, 2010

A bonus for the Bengals GM means more Grand Slamwhiches which means more money for Ross Tucker. Ross Tucker, you are one evil son of a bitch!

In all seriousness, I did like much of what the Bengals did in the draft. Gresham wouldn't have been my first choice, but he certain fits a need and it will be a weird luxury having a tight end. I don't like Dunlap much at all. Potential is there but he's a career underachiever. Also has a bit of trouble with red lights and all the complicated rules surrounding them. Shipley is by no means a superstar, but I think he'll fit right in. He's suited perfectly for the role I think he'll be asked to take. Ghee seems like he's insurance for when Hall and/or Joseph leave.

I still would have liked to see a developmental quarterback at some point, as well as (obviously) a safety. Overall, it's hard to complain too much though. Which I've said back to back years. This is just getting weird.

April 22, 2010

John Cooper left his scouting notebook at a Columbus area Applebee's last night. One of our loyal comrades transcribed it and sent it to us.

First Round - Brandon Graham (DE - Michigan) - Graham was the only player on Michigan last year that had any heart. Was also a robotic killing machine, so that heart may have actually been a computer simulation of anger and despair. My scientific studies on the transformation in college football from human players to cyborgs is ongoing. Cyborgs seem to be very durable up until Will Smith has to eradicate them to save the world. Comparable players - Cletus the FOX NFL Robot.

April 20, 2010

Joe Reedy is a great reporter. There is no way I could have listened to Marvin Lewis say this and kept my mouth shut. When asked how the team would respond to the new 30-day draft format, Lewis asserted that the team's response would be that they would not change much or over analyze the situation. Thank God! Because the Bengals' problem in past drafts has been to out smart themselves.

Other teams in the NFL are looking for any advantage out there to get an edge. The Bengals are concerned about making sure they don't confuse themselves.

April 19, 2010

Just something quick on this Monday to get some discussion going. What would be your "Big Board" or wish list for the 21st pick on Monday? C Trent hears that the Bengals are in love with CJ Spiller, putting them in exclusive company with 31 other teams. There is no way Spiller is there at 21. Here are my top choices among those who may be. Let's see yours in the comments.

1. Dez Bryant - very unlikely he makes it to 21, but not impossible. If he's there, you take him in my opinion. Elite talent who makes this offense dangerous instantly.

2. Mike Iupati - you'd have a lot invested in the offensive line, but to me Iupati will be a Pro Bowler for 10 years and maybe the best guard in the league at some point. He's that good. Tough to acquire a guy like that, and this could be your chance.

3. Earl Thomas - fits the bill perfectly. Coverage safety, which is desperately needed. Can play nickel corner, which is important with the lack of depth this team has at corner.

4. Jermaine Gresham - I'd love to have a fucking tight end who can catch. That'd be great

5. Top defender on the board - No other offensive player excites me. Thomas (WR, GTech), Benn (WR, Illinois), Tate (WR, Notre Dame), Best (RB, Cal), any of the tackles. Obviously quarterback is pointless, and there will be hell to pay if this team drafts Tebow. Top four off the board and I say go best defender on the board (Kyle Wilson, Brian Price, Pierre-Paul, Major Wright).

Two guys I want no part of: Taylor Mays (look like Tarzan, play like Jane) and Terrance Cody (lazy piece of shit couldn't play 30 plays in college, no way he can do it in the pros)

March 24, 2010

So I wanted to start comprehensively investigating the Bengals draft picks under Mike Brown. I compiled a database of all our draft picks and then made some notes about the draft picks. Some are objective things like the player's position and former college while other are subjective (like my 1 to 5 rating) and some have elements of both (did they come from a big name college program - what would you call TCU?).

But then I got lazy and didn't look at it for awhile.

Well, the draft approaches folks and it's time to look again. I need some help, mostly for the "subjective 1 to 5 rating" and "productive starter" columns. I need your input because I really don't have much to go on memory-wise from the mid 90s and earlier picks. I was just too young to watch games with any sort of ability to critically evaluate what I was seeing at the time - though at least I was sober.

Feel free to check it out, make whatever updates you want (seriously, anything), and email it back to us at whodeyrevolution@gmail.com or just leave a note in the comments. It's a sortable database, just click on the arrow buttons next to each column heading. Right now, it's organized in order of most recent draft pick first.

It's raw right now and I'd like to finish the player grades first before I start going nuts trying to break it down. Suggestions welcome.